Mirador
de
Ventanillas
(Ventanillas
Viewpoint)
The
Mirador
de
Ventanillas
is
located
on
the
crater’s
border
and
allowing
one
to
view
the
crater
and
the
beautiful
surrounding
landscape.
In
the
morning
up
until
around
midday
is
the
best
time
to
visit
because
afternoons
are
frequently
clouded
over
as
a
result
of
the
mist
coming
from
the
west.
From
here
there
is
also
a
path
extending
around
450
metres
which
leads
into
the
interior
of
the
crater
crossing
a
very
steep
slope.
This
route
is
very
regularly
used
by
the
sectors
inhabitants
to
transport
their
products
from
the
crater.
Zona
de
Moraspungo
(Moraspungo
Zone)
A
sign-posted
pathway,
which
takes
around
an
hour
to
complete,
allows
one
to
observe
the
beautiful
landscape
and
the
flora
of
the
humid
montane
forest.
Especially
eye-catching
is
the
diverse
range
of
butterflies
inhabiting
the
area,
which
should
not
be
missed.
La
Comunidad
de
Pululahua
(The
Pululahua
(San
Isidro)
Community)
This
area
enjoys
a
pleasantly
fresh
climate
similar
to
that
of
the
Andean
valleys,
due
to
its
location
between
the
mountains.
Nevertheless,
during
the
afternoon
this
area
completely
clouds
over.
This
is
the
perfect
spot
from
which
to
embark
on
a
walking
tour.
Cerro
Pondona
(Pondona
Hill)
A
vast
quantity
of
butterflies
inhabit
the
area
and
can
be
spotted
with
ease
on
hot
and
sunny
days.
Cerro
El
Chivo
(El
Chivo
Hill)
A
natural
viewpoint
offering
beautiful
views
of
the
surrounding
landscape.
Along
the
pathway
bordering
the
hill
bush
vegetation
including
orchids,
bromeliads,
ferns
and
mosses
can
be
observed.
Lulumbamba
In
the
upper
sector
of
Lulumbamba
remains
of
ancient
settlements
have
been
discovered.
Findings
include
pots,
pans
and
skeletons
similar
to
those
discovered
in
Pucara
de
Rumicucho.
Tours
Monumento
Mitad
del
Mundo
(Middle
of
the
World
Commemorative
Monument
)
In
San
Antonio
de
Pichincha,
a
few
minutes
south
of
the
Reserve,
is
the
location
of
tourist
attraction
‘Ciudad
Mitad
del
Mundo’
or
the
‘Middle
of
the
World’,
which
is
a
miniature
reconstruction
of
Quito
’s
colonial
centre.
There
are
artisan
shops,
art
galleries,
a
main
square
and
a
church
which
are
frequented
by
tourists
usually
at
weekends.
Also
encountered
here
is
the
Mitad
del
Mundo
monument
which
was
erected
to
mark
the
equatorial
line
dividing
the
world
into
northern
and
southern
hemispheres.
It’s
literally
possible
to
stand
with
your
feet
in
two
hemispheres.
Inside
the
monument
there
is
an
ethnographic
museum
and
on
the
top
floor
an
observation
terrace.
Pucara
de
Rumicucho
This
ex-military
fortress
measures
around
380
metres
in
height
and
75
metres
wide.
It
consists
of
five
stone
terraces
in
the
shape
of
a
pyramid.
This
fortress
or
pucara
is
part
of
a
network
of
fortifications
including
La
Marca
,
Trigoloma,
Pambamarca
and
the
valley
of
Guayllabamba
.
It’s
also
believed
that
this
fortress
was
once
an
important
astronomical
observation
spot
and
religious
site.
A
good
view
of
La
Marca
and
Cayambe
hills
is
possible
from
here.
These
elevations
form
a
horizontal
line
through
which
the
sun
passes
during
the
Equinox.
Due
to
this,
its
also
widely
accepted
that
this
site
was
once
a
place
of
sun
worship.
Last
Updated
19th
July
2006
